Private equestrian use at Wintles Lane, Northwood Green

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for private equestrian use, including stables, a tack room, muck store and touring caravan.

“Change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian, erection of stables, tack room, muck store and ancillary touring caravan for private use. (Retrospective)”

“The tack room is a separate portable building measuring 7.4 m x 2.7 m and 2.7 m to the ridge. It includes both a tack room and an additional storage room.”

Officer report

The site

The 9.5-hectare site is in open countryside outside a settlement boundary, off Wintles Lane near Wintles Farm.

“The site occupies a total area of approximately 9.5 hectares.”

“The application site is located outside of a defined settlement boundary in the open countryside and is within the Parish of Westbury on Severn. Located off Wintles Lane, near Wintles Farm.”

Officer report

Earlier site issues

The application followed enforcement investigations into unauthorised use and development, and no relevant planning history was identified.

“It should be noted that this application follows enforcement investigations relating to the unauthorised use and development of the site.”

“Pre-application advice has not been sought for this application.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was considered acceptable in principle and ecological, water quality and biodiversity effects could be controlled by conditions.

“Therefore provided that the recommended conditions are included on any permission, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in regard to water quality, ecology and biodiversity and is in accordance with the NPPF, NPPG, Policies CSP.1 and CSP.2 of the Core Strategy, and Policies AP.1, AP.7 and AP.8 of the Allocations Plan, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.”

“Estuary SAC, SPA, and Ramsar. Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal is not expected to negatively impact foraging and commuting horseshoe bats and will safeguard water quality during both construction and operational phases.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support through a written representation, with no objector, parish representative or ward member speaking.

Members discussed

Members discussed horse shelter and visits, personal-use controls, the identity of relocated buildings, manure management and enforcement monitoring.

“A: There are conditions in the schedule and the late material restricting for personal use only. If there were any issues raised by the public that it was being used as a business, this would be investigated by the enforcement team.”

“Q: Can you confirm the buildings that are being re-sited are the same buildings we saw at the previous visit to the site? In regard to the manure schedule, will this be monitored and enforced if it is not complied with?”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted twelve in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions.

“The Chair summed up what was to be voted on. That they Grant Permission with the conditions in the schedule and the addition of the two further conditions in the late material.”

“For (12) Councillors David Wheeler, Patrick Kyne, Dave Tradgett, Beth Llewellyn, Andrew McDermid, Trevor Roach, Julie Gooch, Stuart Graham, Clayton Williams, Jonathan Beeston, John Francis, Gill Moseley Abstain (0) Councillors Against (0) Councillors Total (12)”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted with the scheduled conditions and two additional conditions in the late material.

“RESOLVED:- That they Grant Permission with the conditions in the schedule and the addition of the two further conditions in the late material.”

Minutes